Observation,Ladder,Dumbell,Amphitheater,Barrett,Dusy BasinTR

[hikerduane]

A few years ago when I did the South Lake-North Lake loop, I was eye balling where Knapsack Pass should be as Steve Armstrong over on Backpacker magazines forum had been that way a few times on his SHR trips. Looking at my map last night, I thought I might stay high after going over Bishop Pass, or at the least, not drop down too much. I still need to make notes on your trip and try to find the lakes/passes on my map. A lot of "I hope I can get over that ridge" hiking. Some places it looks like the last bit will be steep. I will have a pack weight of a little over 30 lbs. I'm thinking. Not much I can leave out, except my chair, and I may kill for a place to sit before the trip is half over. Right now it looks like a night each at:
Palisade Basin
Upper Basin
Lake Basin
Dumbbell Lake
Amphitheater Lake
Dusy Basin
Ruwun Lake

Would like to stay one more night, so all this may change with a day added in the middle somewhere.

[maverick]

HD
What route are you planning to take to get from Palisade Basin to Upper
Basin and then to Lake Basin?
You could go over Potlock Pass (class 2) from Palisade Basin and down to
Palisade Lakes, then follow the JMT to Upper Basin and use either Frozen Lake
Pass(class 2-3 w/ice axe) or Vennacher Col(class 3) to get into Lake Basin.
Dumbbell Lakes Pass(class 2) into Dumbbell Basin and Cataract Creek Pass(class 2)
to Amphitheater Lake and down to hook up with the JMT.
I would not recommend doing these routes unless you have x-country experience and
are in great shape because doing so many x-country passes require alot of
physical endurance!
If you get injured in these areas being found or seeing someone else to help is
highly unlikely especially in the Dumbbell area. Potlock area and Lakes Basin
gets some useage, but not crowds of people.

[hikerduane]

My reply didn't make it I see. My current map only names Knapsack Pass, the route you describe is what I came up with. Your map must show the passes and name them, I hope the SEKI High Country map shows them. Not sure what you mean going from Dumbbell Lakes, either right by Observation Peak or to the se a bit about 3/4 mile. A tough hike I know, if Steve Armstrong can do it as old as he is, I am a little better shape I should do fine. Stuff happens, so if I don't make it out, that is life.

[maverick]

No Ive done alot of passes in the Sierra, and I have them all marked (color coded)
according to difficulty on all of my maps (Potluck is marked on the TH map).
Get "The High Sierra Peaks, Passes, and Trails" book by Secor to locate the passes.
Cataract Creek Pass is 0.4 mi ESE of Observation Pass and is steep with talus on
Amp Lake side, stay high and above bush to get down to the northern side of
Amp Lake(outlet), also there maybe a cornice that youll have to get around depending
how early in the season you go.
Yeah, its the best resting place I could wish for!